Extravagant Palaces of Deposed Rulers

February 27, 2014

The old saying that power corrupts is evident in the palaces and homes of some of the world most imfamous deposed rulers. Their former palatial residences, and the personal items they acquired while their countries heading to economic ruin, range from merely extravagant to supremely gaudy.

Gwenn Dubourthoumieu /AFP/Getty Images

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A child stands in a room of the former palace of late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, in Gbadolite in 2010. Mobutu built two private residences and an official presidential palace among other buildings in Gbadolite and Kawele. Mobutu came to power in a 1965 coup, five years after the central African nation gained independence from Belgium.

Gwenn Dubourthoumieu /AFP/Getty Images

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A child stands in a room of the former palace of late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, in Gbadolite in 2010. Mobutu built two private residences and an official presidential palace among other buildings in Gbadolite and Kawele. Mobutu came to power in a 1965 coup, five years after the central African nation gained independence from Belgium.